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January 11, 2014 Townhall Meeting Donner ParkJanuary 11, 2014 10:00 AM till 12:00 Noon Attending Commissioners: Mayor Woods, Commissioner Mark, Commissioner Hill, Commissioner Daugherty, Commissioner Beckenbach Minutes of the City of Atlantic Beach Town Hall Meeting Location: Donner Park Recreation Center Discussion was initiated by citizens on the Following Topics: Topics Discussed/General Comments: A) Beaches Habitat Proposed Project The proposed Project is similar to the previous project that was torn down 13 Zoning Waivers Requested – Request to review Waivers by Commission with Community Development Board presence. No Garages/Inadequate Storage Commercial Piece of Property/ should not be residential A number of Business Property Owners against a residential development. Desire for a more Commercial development. Test Case for Beach Habitat – No successful Habitat large acreage, multifamily tract development in area to show success Long Term Problems due to: no appreciation, HOA problems, safety of children, multifamily concept instead of single family dwellings A need to landscape to create a sound barrier Development brings new and affordable housing to the beaches area. Beaches Habitat carefully screens their potential buyers. Sweat equity of at least 300 hours is required by each buyer. Habitat homes are solidly built. Desire for a more business oriented gateway to the Mayport Business Corridor. Beaches Habitat is building a lower number of units on the property than the present zoning allows. It was noted that the Beaches Habitat stated at their initial presentation that they can build a higher density development without the waivers. The property was purchased at auction by Beaches Habitat. The property is Zoned - Mixed Use therefore, a multifamily development is allowed. There is a difference between an apartment complex and the proposed development. In the apartment model the units are rented while in the proposed model each unit is privately owned. Beaches Habitat holds the mortgages for the units and has the right of first refusal if an owner wishes to sell their property. (The property cannot be sold until the owner has lived in the unit for a minimum of 5 years. If Habitat purchases the property after the 5 years, it is according to Market Value using Comps throughout the area.) 7-0 decision by the Community Development Board to recommend the SPA as is. A citizen recommended covenant – No rentals allowed Concern that the development would have a similar fate as the development behind the Old Publix Center. Citizen Statement - As long as Beaches Habitat meets all the zoning and ordinance requirements they can build on their property. The development is expected to bring purchasing power to the area that will help the Mayport Business Corridor. Special Planned Area was well thought out with greenspace included. Beaches Habitat has a good rep in Atlantic Beach. The Development s location requires a great development at the entrance to our city. Property was vacant and for sale for a long period of time. None of the businesses bought the property but now there is an interest after the Habitat purchase. 24 Acres Available in Jacksonville in Mayport Corridor Area Hold all developers to the same standards Citizen mentioned knowledge of an interested party to purchase property for a Veterans Rehab Center. B) Search for New City Manager and City Attorney Recommend that there be no headhunter for attorney. Local advertising Recommend Headhunter for City Manager Competitive Bid for Attorney Recommended – Proper Search for City Manager and City Attorney C) Representation of Districts Vote is being diluted by At Large Elections Elections should coincide with National Elections Small town – every Commissioner should be working for each citizen – therefore need at large Each Commissioner should be representing 1 district and voted on by that district D) Donner Area Interest in the Donner Area COPS Program Friendlier Police Presence E) Charter Changes Citizen recommendation - To run require 3 years of residency Citizen recommendation – To run required to be a US Citizen A number of Volunteers from the citizen group to be a part of a Charter Review Committee F) Agenda Item pertaining to Psychologist’s involvement in Commission Development What is the benefit vs cost Citizens should not be required to pay for a psychologist to work with Commissioners Best Practices of many major corporations Classes are available for leadership training at local colleges *Note – Minutes taken by Commissioner Beckenbach. Meeting was recorded using a computer a microphone, but the sound quality of the MP3 is very poor.